How long is your packing list, and how do you organize it?

[Frank II]

I have a generic, master packing list that has everything I might need to take regardless of time of year. (Everything from a scarf for winter to sun tan lotion for summer.) This will be personal for everyone.

I then copy/paste the list into a new document and title it the name of the trip. As an example, the trip I am on now is titled "Packing List--Spring 2019".

I then go through the list and delete any item that I don't need for that trip. This is continual as I prepare for the trip and packing.

For this trip, I thought it might be interesting to see if I could then organize the list by packing cube/location rather than general categories. I have been using a number of smaller packing cubes so this way has helped me find things rather than just search.

Of course, if use the same bag in the future, I can always copy/paste this new packing list to make my packing more efficient. It also helps with repacking as I know where everythng goes and that it will fit since it fit in the first place.

My master packing list is constantly changing as I find newer items to replace the old. As an example, I have replaced all of my USB cords with retractable versions that work well.

I also have a section at the bottom of my list titled "To Buy". These are all the items I need to get/replace before my trip. I will add to this during m current trip so I know what I need to get before the next one. There is an additional section called "Packing Tips" where I remind myself of new things to do for my future trips. (As an example, last year I tried a new shirt. It wrinkled horribly. I wrote this down to remind myself not to bring it.)

When I do my final pack, I print out the list and cross off items as they get packed. (I do this the day before I leave so if I do need to get something, I have time. )

It sounds complicated and a lot of work but it isn't for me. Some people collect stamps, I arrange packing lists.

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[Frank II]

I should also mention that the master packing list is by category: Clothes, toiletries, electronics, etc.

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[toupee]

I don't know if anyone has used Notion (https://notion.so/) - it's sort of a wiki-esque notepad app - and it has a pretty robust database/spreadsheet hybrid feature. I've just started messing around with this kinda thing and I wanted to measure the weight of everything I might carry. I can make different "views" and turn on and off different items to see the sum of their weight. It's a work in progress!

You can check out my list here and if you want you can duplicate it (and edit to your hearts content) for your own account. https://www.notion.so/justinraymond/...730d93cc853004

[Cristina]

I don't know if anyone has used Notion (https://notion.so/) - it's sort of a wiki-esque notepad app - and it has a pretty robust database/spreadsheet hybrid feature. I've just started messing around with this kinda thing and I wanted to measure the weight of everything I might carry. I can make different "views" and turn and off different items to see the sum of their weight. It's a work in progress!

You can check out my list here and if you want you can duplicate it (and edit to your hearts content) for your own account. https://www.notion.so/justinraymond/...730d93cc853004

Ooh I like the look of that, thank you. Might try it for my next trip!

[toupee]

It's a really fun program, I've been using it for all kinds of organization - I shouldn't be surprised Tom Bihn fans might like it

[allanorn]

I handwrite every single packing list. Yes, it’s more work - but the act of handwriting makes me think about each trip and what I think I’ll need.

I do have some shortcuts. For instance, I have a Q-kit that contains a couple of AC adapters, cables, and a spare battery for an iPhone or Kindle; that will be listed as “charger kit”. I have a couple of toiletry bags that are mostly packed all of the time, so I can just note “small toiletry bag” or “large toiletry bag” on the list. I also have small kits made up for letters and postcards (I use Lihit Lab organizers for this) so I will also note which one of three (!) in the packing list.

Once the list is done I can just go down the list the night before, pack the bag, and get the satisfaction of crossing things off a list.

[Cristina]

This is similar to what I do. The most variation is in the clothing needed because of the weather, so that's usually what I focus on in the written list. The general formula is: packing cubes of clothes, chargers in a 3DOC (stays packed), Deluxe Spiff Kit (stays packed), and then any special things like extra shoes and special event clothes or gear.

I handwrite every single packing list. Yes, it’s more work - but the act of handwriting makes me think about each trip and what I think I’ll need.

I do have some shortcuts. For instance, I have a Q-kit that contains a couple of AC adapters, cables, and a spare battery for an iPhone or Kindle; that will be listed as “charger kit”. I have a couple of toiletry bags that are mostly packed all of the time, so I can just note “small toiletry bag” or “large toiletry bag” on the list. I also have small kits made up for letters and postcards (I use Lihit Lab organizers for this) so I will also note which one of three (!) in the packing list.

Once the list is done I can just go down the list the night before, pack the bag, and get the satisfaction of crossing things off a list.

[Jaffa]

I know I really should go digital with my packing lists, but at the moment I write down everything on small lined cards. I use 1 card for each trip/holiday. I mark down what worked, what didnt, ie what I wore and anything that would have made it easier if I had taken it.
Whenever Im packing for a new trip, I grab all the cards and work out which might work for this trip.
It’s was an eye opener, when I used to take different outfits for everyday, didnt do laundry, and took lots of shoes.
The turning point, when I started using a limited colour palate of 4 colours, and would only buy clothing in those colours.Which cut down automatically on the amount of clothing and footwear I took.
Jaffa

[heygreggie]

I have a basic packing list that I keep in OmniFocus (a productivity app for Mac & iOS). I use it as a template: when I have a trip coming up, I just duplicate that list and add or subtract things specific to that trip. Then as I pack, I check things off in OmniFocus on my phone.

OmniFocus helpfully tells me how many items are remaining on the list, and I was a little startled just now to realize that my packing list template is 114 items long! That includes 7 things to do before a trip (arrange for cat care, wash dishes, etc), and my 9 subject headings each count as an item, but that still leaves 98 things that I expect to pack for most trips. That seems like a whole lot! And yet everything fits into an A45 or WF plus a personal item.

The items on my packing list are things like "Bras 2-3", "Coat, hat, mittens, scarf?", "Toothpaste", "iPad and/or Kindle", and "If going to Minnesota: key to sister's house". I list each toiletry item separately since I generally always need the same things no matter where I'm going, but I collapse clothing items into categories since what I need depends on the season and destination (so "Shirts" is a single item on the list).

The subject headings are a mixture of functional and descriptive, and I've been thinking about a more efficient way to sort things. The functional headings are based on what I'll be packing into (all the stuff on the wet toiletries list goes into a 3DCOC, all the stuff on the dry toiletries list goes into a mesh 3DOC).

Anyway, looking at my 98-item list got me curious about how others organize their packing lists. Do you have a basic packing list that you adapt for most trips? How long is it? What level of detail does it go to, and how do you organize it?

care to share this list?


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[DWSeattle]

This is a common thing in the ultralight hiking world. There is a free web service at https://lighterpack.com that allows entering all your items, creating categories and getting a pie chart. If you enter the weights it will break it down by category and a total.

[aedifica]

care to share this list?

My list is so tuned to my personal situation, I don't think it would be particularly useful to someone else. You can get the general idea of it from the things I mentioned in that post, though.

This is a common think in the ultralight hiking world. There is a free web service at https://lighterpack.com that allows entering all your items, creating categories and getting a pie chart. If you enter the weights it will break it down by category and a total.

I had forgotten about Lighterpack! I played with it a couple of years ago when I was really trying to trim my luggage weight wherever I could because of an injury. After my injury healed I forgot about Lighterpack, but I'm glad to have the reminder.

[robburdtt]

I handwrite every single packing list. Yes, it’s more work - but the act of handwriting makes me think about each trip and what I think I’ll need.

I do have some shortcuts. For instance, I have a Q-kit that contains a couple of AC adapters, cables, and a spare battery for an iPhone or Kindle; that will be listed as “charger kit”. I have a couple of toiletry bags that are mostly packed all of the time, so I can just note “small toiletry bag” or “large toiletry bag” on the list. I also have small kits made up for letters and postcards (I use Lihit Lab organizers for this) so I will also note which one of three (!) in the packing list.

Once the list is done I can just go down the list the night before, pack the bag, and get the satisfaction of crossing things off a list.

I do this too. For some reason writing them down makes me remember better.

[Bogiesan]

About 25 itemized things, more if I broke out the toiletries. I’ve used roughly the same list for several years, adapting for expected weather conditions, sports activities, and special occasion.
I fiddle with it on every trip using my Moleskine and multiple fountain pen inks. It eventually goes on the iPad and gets printed. Sometimes it gets granular and is organized by packing cube.

Here’s mine:https://forums.tombihn.com/packing-l...-scotland.html

[Rei]

about... 120 items for a trip planed at the end of the year xD (bag and bag accessories included, washable wipes counted separately but drawing tools as set :P)
and everything fit inside a 25L xDD

[ClicketySnap]

This is a common thing in the ultralight hiking world. There is a free web service at https://lighterpack.com that allows entering all your items, creating categories and getting a pie chart. If you enter the weights it will break it down by category and a total.

I was actually skimming the replies to see if anyone had mentioned this yet.

To me, one of the benefits of using LighterPack even if you aren’t interested in obsessing over weights is that it saves every single item you enter. Therefore you could have a master list of items, and add/remove them as needed from your actual packing list. Being able to sort by category is amazing, and you can also toggle items as something you are wearing, and is therefore exempt from the weight in your bag.

It was made for thru-hikers trying to keep their baseweight down, but it is extremely useful in any packing situation.

I also have a very generic list on the notes app of my iPhone. That way whenever I think of something I can add it immediately, rather than waiting until I get home or until the next time I pack. I use the checklist feature so that if I am packing slowly over a few days, I can check off which items I have piled in the A30 for proper packing later. I also use it as a way to check that I haven’t forgotten anything when packing to return home.


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